Facebook Applications

On Facebook, I always get invitations to add 'applications' to my profile. Some sound interesting, but I'm not even sure what an application is. Are they part of Facebook, or something from the outside? Do I need to worry about viruses?

Are Facebook Applications Safe?

Facebook applications are add-ons that can be fun, functional, or frivolous. Think "program" when you see the word "application" and it makes more sense. To their credit, Facebook has created an open system which allows clever programmers to create applications that are integrated into the Facebook system. Adding these applications to your Facebook profile is similar in concept to downloading and installing a program on your computer's desktop.

In theory, a Facebook application could contain a virus or spyware, but none have been reported so far. When evaluating an application, you should feel safe if it says "By Facebook" next to the name. Look also at the "About this Application" section. If it says "This application was not developed by Facebook" then I recommend you decide based on how many users have added the application. Several thousand or more should indicate that lots of Facebook users safely enjoy the app. Several dozen, maybe wait and see.

Addding Facebook Applications to Your Profile

Some applications add new interpersonal networking features to the Facebook platform, others just spiff up your profile with graphics, gadgets or games. After logging in, go to the Facebook Application Search tool and you'll find the latest ones created and how many others have signed up for it. You can also seek out the ones that are the most popular. There's no limit to how many applications you can add to your profile, and you can always delete any that don’t turn out to be as much fun as you thought they would be. Oh, and Facebook apps are free. Here are some of my favorite and recommended Facebook apps...

Top Friends is by far the most popular Facebook app, with over 13 million users. Top Friends will add a box displaying up to 32 friends, similar to the Friend Space on Myspace, where you can display your best friends and click their mugshots for easy access to those profiles.

Another of the most popular Facebook apps is Free Gifts, an alternative to the Facebook-supplied Gifts feature, except it's free. You can add Free Gifts to your profile, then choose from a large selection of virtual gifts to send to other Facebook users. If the recipient doesn't have the app, your gift will show up when they add it.

The Video application lets you publish your personal videos on Facebook and send video messages to your friends, similar to YouTube. You can upload videos and also decide who gets to watch them. Upload a video from your hard drive, use your webcam to record a video from your browser, or email your vids to Facebook. This works easily, although you have to wait for a bit to have your video processed after your upload.

Try the popular Aquarium app and put some fish, sharks or an octopus on your Facebook profile. You start off with 200 "coins" which will allow you to buy up to 8 aquatic pets for your buds or yourself. Each one lasts for 2 days before it goes figuratively belly-up. You automatically receive 150 more coins daily, but be warned, you may be asked you to fill out silly surveys or give other sites your email address to receive additional coins.

You may also like the My Garden app, in which you can raise your own virtual flowers, and can send them to others or yourself. Besides, you can get a lawn gnome or pink flamingo! Each one you send lasts 2 days for the recipient. You start out with 250 coins, with the same amount added each day to re-populate your flora. Again, this app offers extra coins if you give them more information about yourself.

Zombies - Must... eat... brains? Become a zombie, bite your friends, and turn them into zombies. You start out as an Ensign Zombie Newbie. Turn five others into virtual undead, racking up 25 points, and you move up in rank.

Have you ever wondered what you'd look like as a South Park Character? Now's your chance with this creator that begins with those annoying round faces and allows you to accessorize with hair, facial features, and clothing. Mine looks pretty Goth and should fit right in with the rest of the dysfunctional kids. Firefox browser is recommended with this app.

CBS is getting in on the Facebook action by offering two applications, one that features CBS News headlines and The Showbuzz, which has the latest gossip tidbits. There are also many other media-related apps to choose from that provide sports, music, and other forms of entertainment.

In the gaming category, there are over 300 apps to choose from. The Games app gives you 20 games you can play in Facebook, and some allow you to compete with others. My Pet is a virtual pet game where you can name, feed and train your pet, gain experience with it and fight the PK Boss. Invite a friend to raise one as well and you can have some tussles with each other. Think of it as Legend of Zelda, minus the Zelda.

With over 3000 applications to choose from in the areas of food, fun, gaming, money, music, politics, business and entertainment, you'll be sure to find several to try and share with your Facebook friends. New ones crop up every day, so you may want to check in occasionally. And if you have programming skills, you can design one yourself and share it with others in Facebook's virtual world.

Most recent comments on "Facebook Applications"

Posted by:
Patrick
26 Sep 2007

I love facebook, especially because it has such a high level of privacy. As for applications, my favorite is Scrabulous. At any given time I have 4 or 5 scrabble games going. It's fun, but still a little buggie. However a quick refresh usually corrects the problem and lets me play on.

Posted by:
Yancey Grantham
04 Oct 2007

I designed my applications to be very user friendly and useful to Facebook users. In My Life you can answer daily questions about your life. With Outrageous Questions the questions are thought provoking in a different way.

Posted by:
Facebookster
31 Oct 2007

Facebookster - provides a full range of facebook application strategy,design, development and marketing for your business.

Posted by:
soregrapes
19 Mar 2008

i have a website and i want a face book application that redirects me to my site through face book how can i do that?

Posted by:
Dennis
23 Nov 2008

I just received a virus warning when clicking on a Where I've Been map. I do not recommend this application.

Also, my previous entries just disappeared. Very discouraging after the time spent making the entries.

Posted by:
Girma
10 Mar 2009

I was a (member) of facebook, but I cannot (operate?) it, or any other problem I cannot use thise resoursefull site. Can you give any clue?
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Sineserely,
Girma

Posted by:
Connie
17 Mar 2009

If I stay on face book long enough usually about 15 minutes or so, my internet explorer stops working and restarts itself. What should I do to see what the problem is? It has been doing this for several days now.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Maybe your computer is trying to do you a favor? :-) Do you mean that IE shuts down and then restarts? Or the computer restarts? Check for viruses and malware to start...

Posted by:
su
04 Aug 2009

I can't access to facebook.com from my office and it's driving me nuts. Can i play pets in my space then send a gift to my pet in facebook?

Posted by:
Peter
27 Dec 2010

just made a handy app that let your friends help you keep your New Year’s Resolutions! Check it out at: http://apps.facebook.com/newyears-resolution/

Posted by:
Robin Brazeau
29 Jan 2011

I want to delete most of the "apps" from Facebook. I've tried them and do not like them now they are stuck in my favorites. How do I delete them. No clue on this end. Please resonde Facebook Robin Brazeau Thank you.

Posted by:
@@@@@@@@
24 Mar 2011

Even though I am new to Facebook even I figured out how to remove apps. Just go to the apps Facebook page and under where it says add to my favorites click remove app. Then check you apps and make sure it is gone. If not then click the remove x on the right end of the app description.

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